Monday, January 07, 2013

Mini-Reviews: Working Stiff and Two Weeks Notice

Bryn Davis knows working at Fairview Mortuary isn't the most glamorous career choice, but at least it offers stable employment--until she discovers her bosses using a drug that resurrects the clientele as part of an extortion racket. Now, Bryn faces being terminated--literally, and with extreme prejudice.

Wit the help of corporate double-agent Patrick McCallister, Bryn has a chance to take down the bigger problem--pharmaceutical company Pharmadene, which treats death as the ultimate corporate loyalty program. She'd better do it fast, before she becomes a zombie slave--a real working stiff. She'd be better off dead...

I have always been reluctant to read this series as the plot didn't grab me straight away, but like they say don't judge a book by its cover (or its blurb). But I have to say I was deeply mistaken. When I begun this book, I couldn't stop. Like any Rachel Caine novel, you will never be disappointed.

Caine took a different approach to YA and Fantasy that I am accustomed too...Zombies. It's Tomb Raider meet Resident Evil, only with less blood and guts (oh and *screams*). Bryn Davis previously worked in the army, but now she felt she wanted to move on to being a funeral director! But she accidentally get mixed in with Pharmadene, she gets used, she gets revived. But, Patrick a double agent, gives her the chance. To them back and bring the company down.

The main character, Bryn, was strong, compelling, independent and intriguing at best, but like all strong characters there is always a vulnerable side. Bryn is an ex-soldier, so her impassive stance and cool nature allows her to see through people. Now Bryn is faced with a bigger situation, her life on the edge by a single injection. I felt quite passionate about Bryn's life, she has had it taken away and replaced by being this shell of medicine being forced alive by a company. She feels that she has no life, its bought, its there's. Then there is Patrick, at first he was quite infuriating showing little of his character, but then Bryn sets a spark in him, that is ready to ignite...but not quite. Caine slowly developed their relationship, which in one respect disappointed me but excited me all the same!

Making a living can be rough if you're already dead. After dying and being revived with the experimental drug Returne, Bryn Davis is theoretically free to live her unlife - with regular doses to keep her going. But Bryn knows that the government has every intention of keeping a tight lid on Pharmadene's life-altering discovery, no matter the cost.

Thankfully, some things have changed for the better; her job at the rechristened Davis Funeral Home is keeping her busy and her fragile romance with Patrick McCallister is blossoming - thanks in part to their combined efforts in forming a support group for Returne addicts. But when some of the group members suddenly disappear, Bryn wonders if the government is methodically removing a threat to their security, or if some unknown enemy has decided to run the zombies into the ground...

Once again I couldn't help myself but I bought the eBook and I received the Review Copy because I loved it so much. The ending of Working Stiff left you in a wonder, and I love it when the sequel is already out so that I don't have to wait!

I was very surprised at the number of pages that this one conceived of in comparison to Working Stiff, however it quality not quantity and I loved it even more, a O.5 Rating does make the difference. The plot left off from where it ended... Bryn is now working for the FBI and using Pharmadene to their own device. But can she trust them?! But now Davis hosts a Support group for other like her, she feels responsible for their well-being, their way of life and there future. Slowly, they start to dissipate as if they no longer exist...after all they are dead. What I love about a sequel, that can either be the filler to the next or a spectacular continue and I'm going for the latter. It was face-paced, compelling and it completely blew my mind.

The development of Bryn's character has become more mellow. She is still the strong, brave soldier portrayed in Working Stiff, but she has grown into someone with a purpose. She takes care of the other Returne victims, but when she knows something isn't right she fight for it. Patrick and Bryn's character has grown fragmented at the beginning, neither one doesn't quite know where they stand, but one night is all it takes. At first they were just friends, they consider lovers but they knew that wouldn't work. So there relationship flourished from then. Patrick as a single, shows a more emotional approach to his character but also his fragile side and I like that side of him. You can't miss Patrick McCallister even for a second.

At first, I've some mixed reviews on this series, but in my opinion she has disappointed in her skills as writer. Rachel Caine astounds me with her creative writing. From the writer of The Morganville Vampires, to the Weather Wardens, she really doesn't disappoint. She is an inspiring writer and as she grows with the novels of YA and UF. Will this be a lasting series?! I hope so.

Rating: 5

I would like to thank Allison & Busby for giving me the chance to read this books for honest reviews!

Brilliant reviews! I haven't read the Morganville series yet, or any books by Rachel Caine, as I'm not a huge vampire lover. But her books look good and maybe I will read them some day :D Working Stiff looks quite good though, I've never read a zombie book before :D xxx

Oh, Emma, these sound so FUN! I've actually never read a Rachel Caine book, but I have the first 7 Morganville books at home, waiting... and now I'm kind of wondering... why? THESE SOUND SO FUN! Wonderful review(s)! ♥

I haven't read that many reviews about this series but I'm glad to learn that you loved these two books :) The development of Bryn's character seems interesting. I'm going to add the books to my wishlist. Thanks for sharing!

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Hi I'm Emma and I'm a 20- something year old bookworm. A Secondary School Librarian by day, introducing young readers to the wonder of the literary world. A Reader/blogger by night, reading my favourites including Holly Bourne, J.K. Rowling, Richelle Mead, Sarah J.Maas, Veronica Roth, the list in endless. Also discovering new authors everyday. I'm also a Costa Addict, fellow Spinster and a romantic too!

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